Supporting means for hosiery and the like



June '10, 1958 K. M. SCHAFLER SUPPORTING MEANSTOR HOSIERY AND THE LIKE Filed Jan. 14, 1955 FIG. 2

IINVENTORI KAY M SCH/FL 52 ATTORNEY 1 Claim. c1. 2-240 The present invention relates to hosiery and more particularly to supporting means therefor. This invention is most useful for ladies stockings and is applicable to hosiery generally.

The principal object of this invention is to provide a stocking with a novel and improved means thereon which will make the stocking self-supporting on the leg of a wearer, thus eliminating the need of separate garters, hose supporters and the like, and the wearing of a girdle which too often is worn only to serve to hold up the stockings.

Another object hereof is to provide a stocking with a novel and improved means thereon which will automatically tighten its grip on the leg upon any attempt of the stocking to loosen and slide. 7

Another object of this invention is to provide a stockingwith an improved supporting means of novel construction,

* u i dt r'i which are applied to stockings in being as an addition These threads are arranged around the upper region of the stocking so that each forms a helix of a few close turns,

with ends secured to the stocking proper, but each such thread is free for movement along its own'length. Some of these threads are wound clockwise and the others counterclockwise so that the turns of one set intersect the turns of theother set when a pluralityof such threads are used. These helices are maintained in helical confining structures which serve as sort of tunnels therefor therealong respectively; said threads being in fact laced through them respectively. Said threads are in stressed condition when the stocking is worn. I also provide for the adjustment of the initial tensions, if such is desired. The tunnel structures may also be of elastic quality for extension and contraction along the lines of said threads respectively. I

In the accompanying drawings forming part of this specification, similar characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in all the views.

Fig. 1 shows a fragmentary view of a stocking embodying the teachings of this invention;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary magnified view of a portion of the stocking body showing the tunnel-like means effected by zig-zag loop stitching. I

Fig. 3 is a similar view showing the tunnels effected by helical lines of cross-stitching.

Fig. 4 is a similar view showing the tunnel means effected by use of chain stitching.

Fig. 5 is another similar view showing the tunnels made by tapes'sewn onto the stocking body by seam lines along the longitudinal edges of such tapes.

In the drawings, the numeral 15 designates a stocking body as indicated at points'16', 17 in any suitable manner,

but each thread is free for movement along its own length. Each such helix is maintained in what I shall call a stringconfining helical structure formed on the stocking proper.

In Figs. 2 through 5, I have shown several ways of providing the string-confining helical structures. For instance, in Fig. 2, the threads are laced through the loops 18 of zig-zag stitching sewn on the stocking body. In Fig. 3, such loops are 19, 20 of cross stitching sewn on the stocking. In Fig. 4, the supporting loops 21 are offered by chain stitching 22 sewn on the stocking. As a further modification, Fig. 5 shows tapes 23, 24 sewn on the stocking by loose stitching 25, 25' so that the threads 16, 17 can be laced therethrough and be free for relative movement at intersections 26. I find it practical that each helix mentioned, be from two and one-half to three turns each.

Regardless of how the tunnel means is made, whether by open-work stitching or by tapes or in any other suitable manner, it is intendedv that the designation tunnellike structure shall be deemed to include all of them. Likewise, the designation string-like members shall be deemed to include the threads 16, 17 and strings, cords, tapes and other filaments which may serve in place of said threads within the tunnel-like structures.

To don or take off the stocking as herein provided, it is rolled rather than slid on or off the leg.

Now, consider a thread wound as a helix of a few close turns about a leg. If you pull on one end of such thread, it will tighten around and securely grip the leg. This is exactly what happens if the stocking starts to slip down on the leg of the wearer. The threads 16, 17, tighten their grip hold on the leg and the stocking stays up because it is the region of the lower ends of said threads which would tend to slip downward on the leg before the top end of the stocking, hence all the bottom ends of said threads are pulled, and said threads tighten on the leg. It is found that a slight shifting of the stocking will immediately cause a tightening of the threads.

Without injury to the stocking, the initial tension in the threads 16, 17 can be adjusted by shortening the length of one or more of them by pulling them out of the tunnel and forming a'knot or bow therein as shown at 27. To do this for the embodiment shown in Fig. 5, the tapes are provided with the openings or holes 28 so that the threads can be made accessible for the tying of the bows or knots.

This invention is capable of various forms and applications without departing from the essential features herein disclosed. It is therefore intended that the embodiment and use herein described shall be deemed illustrative and not restrictive and that the patent shall cover all patentable novelty herein set forth; reference being had to the following claim rather than to the specific showing herein to indicate the scope of this invention.

I claim:

In combination with a stocking or the like, a supporting means therefor comprising a string-like member having ends; said string-like member being positioned adjacent one surface of said stocking around an upper portion' thereof and arranged thereon as a helix of a plurality of turns; said upper portion of the stocking being of closely woven'material; the ends of said string-like member being secured to said stocking and means secured on said upper portion of the stocking determining a string confining helical structure on said surface; said string-like member being laced through such string-confining helical structure and loose therethrough.

References Cited in the'fileofthispatent UNITED STATES PATENTS 587,233 Raussen July 27, 1897 10 4. Dempsey Nov. 22, 1898 Douglas 'Feb. 21', 1899' Howard Sept. 21, 1920 Parkes Jan. 8, 1924 Tlucka June 19, 1925 Snader Aug. 7, 1934 Fellegi July 11, 1939 Schafler Feb. 12, 1952 

